All Forum Posts by: Chris Worthington

@Scott Matthew C. 

That's not correct sorry, I may not be explaining correctly! The $250 was to hold the deposit so we could go through the application process (I still have to send her credit report, background check, additional security deposit, etc). The $250 deposit was also dependent of us getting a firm move in date, since I explained I wanted to move in during Early May, so she was going to see if the current tenants wanted to move out early.

During the process I asked her if I could see a copy of what the lease I would be expected to sign would be, so I could read through it and see what her lease contract said. During this process is when I discovered all the sketchy things she had done. I never asked her for another tenants lease, I just asked her to see what lease I would be expected to sign. (if that makes sense). 

@Scott Matthew C. Also thanks so much for your help!

@Scott Matthew C. So we never signed a contract, and I never even filled out a application really either. I totally agreed to her email to hold the house, until I got someone else's signed lease, found out she went into the house to show me without notice, and 3) told me about another tenants credit score, debts, personal issues, etc - that is what made me change my mind. I didn't really even read through the full lease yet either because I stopped once I saw there was some personal information. I am wondering if I find some clauses in the lease I disagree with, if that would help me too? I did not sign a lease with her, and the only example of a lease I have is another signed Tenants.

Thanks everyone so far! To give everyone an update I have pasted below what the landlord sent over before I sent over a deposit, as well as what I typed in when I used Venmo. Also, the rental property is licensed in the city in which I would be renting.  @Scott Matthew C. @Anthony Wick @Andrew B. 

Chris,

Pursuant to our conversation I am sending this email to confirm I am accepting a good faith deposit for $250.00 to hold 616 Connecticut Ave 48067 for a monthly rental of $1695, there will be no additional monthly charge for your dog and there is no weight or size restriction.
Your security deposit will be 1.5 times the rent in addition to the first month's rent due at time of move in or before, once you sign the lease when we know the exact date, I will require an additional amount towards your security deposit, probably another $250 and balance at time of move in for the security deposit. You may choose either a 12 month lease or a 24 month lease. Should I be able to obtain the home to begin rent on May 01 or sometime in May, I will begin the lease accordingly however we do like to keep all our leases ending on May 31, so if you were to obtain the home in May I would ask that you add the appropriate number of days to your one or two year lease.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions, Harrison will reach out to you later tonight so you can deposit the funds of $250.00. Harrison can be reached at (blocked out) he is in class till 5:00 today. Feel free to reach out to me anytime (blocked out). 

Best,
Susan

My Venmo for $250 said "North Connecticut Deposit as per emails From Susan Nest. Final deposits/lease to be pending lease date / Susan's conversation with current tenants"

Hi! Recently I saw a great house I loved, and after talking with the owner of the property put a holding deposit down ($250) so we could firm up a date, tentatively June 1, when the current tenants move out. After putting the holding deposit down I have discovered several sketchy things about the owner and want to back out. Sketchy Things are 1) She showed me the house WITHOUT alerting the current tenants that she was showing the house (I didn't know this at the time, but found out later). This makes me nervous she may just enter my home any time she pleases, and is either unfamiliar with the laws on a 24 hour notice, or just doesn't care). 2) I asked her to send me a copy of what the lease would be to look through and she sent me SOMEONE ELSE's LEASE, a current tenant, with all of his information on it, amount of rent, financial info, etc. Wasn't even blacked out, so fully giving up his privacy. 3) Discussed another tenant's credit issues with me explaining why he has to give more deposit because he has terrible credit, and she said this after giving me his name and info (this was also the guys lease she sent me over).

I am now super nervous that this person has no sense of personal privacy, and I don't want to have a landlord like this. I have NOT signed a lease, but did send a holding deposit of $250 to show interest, and hold the house. Several other people were interested (and still are) in the house, move in date would be June 1. Can I request my holding deposit back, or is it gone forever?

Located in Michigan!